PETA calls for end to 'nightmare' conditions at Hendersonville ...

Why the heck hasn't anything been done about this? This has been going on for years. Why has the state taken so long to enforce laws and make sure these animals are safe? Everyone in Henderson County has read about this situation for years. What am I missing about this story? Do the folks who run the shelter have connections in Raleigh who are afraid to ruffle feathers about this? I can't imagine that's the case but this is outrageous -- especially since in the very same county there's been a demonstrated commitment to helping animals with the new county animal shelter. What can we as citizens do to make this place finally shut down and make sure the suffering animals there are placed elsewhere where they will be treated humanely?

This is sadly, a typical hoarding situation.

They cannot stop taking animals, and they get overcrowded, and they can't properly care for them.

But they will totally deny that there are problems, even though animals are dying in front of them.

They'll spend money on attorney's fees to keep in business instead of feeding the animals or vet bills.

Local officials seem to want to do the right thing, but there seem to be judges that "enable" this cruelty and abuse and let them go on breaking laws and hurting animals.

Why are judges enabling this lawbreaking?

We get angry about puppy mills that abuse animals. We must also do something about hoarders.

It's a terrible illness, and innocent animals pay the price.

And why why why can't low-cost spay & neuter programs be set up to reduce the number of abandoned animals?

Can't local vets pitch in and support some solid programs to get animals in the community fixed?

It's hopeless without higher spay & neuter rates.

The conditions there are as stated. I think Kappler began this with good intentions but let it get out of control with advice from others that she may have believed to be true. Ultimately their managers, president and vice president bear the responsibility of the pain and suffering of these animals. Very dedicated employees resigned and many volunteers who truly tried to help, were asked to leave when the unsuitable conditions were addressed with management. What a shame that such a beautiful town bears such a legacy that we will now be known for. This situation should have been addressed with the city and county prior to calling in the sate. The state has worked very hard to resolve this with the limited enforcement powers they have. Our prayers are that the animals there now have a chance and will not be euthanized because of the negligence of a few people.

Last year I adopted a rescue that had been with a hoarder. It was heart breaking - he was undernourished, dehydrated, had no whiskers at all and his skin was awful. He was timid and inhaled food. Thankfully now, he is none of the above.

So knowing what conditions these animals are in (and have been in) for this long is outrageous. There are groups in this area who would gladly take those animals out of that situation in a heart beat.... how, how, how, can this woman retain custody of these helpless creatures?

I've been to this facility, and these allegations mirror who and what I saw there. Good intentions aren't enough, and they sure don't matter to animals lacking for food, water, shelter, warmth, exercise, and proper socialization, let alone room to stretch their limbs. The world has too much suffering as is; we need to sterilize all pets and face the fact that, until we do, euthanasia is better than shoving them in crates or cold pens under a dilapidated metal roof, like out there in Hendersonville.

I am sure many of you are aware that a large number of these animals have been moved to numerous sites in the area and in Chesnee/Landrum, South Carolina to evade the NCDOA

Be sure to check out PETA's website for more details, www.peta.org . It is the top story.

Normally I find PETA a little too radical for my taste but in this instance I applaud you!!! I have been disgusted by this place for years. Back when we had the flooding so bad up there a few years ago I took food and helped walk some of the dogs. It was gut wrenching to say the least. This place is a disgrace. I cannot stand what they do to those poor animals. I hope there are criminal charges against those who have let this happen.

*Please spay and neuter*

What a shame that these poor animals ended up in this situation. I'm not trying to defend these people for letting this happen. But, sometimes people get overwhelmed in their desire to help out our 4 legged friends and don't recognize that they can't handle the situation that they have gotten themselves into. The real blame should be put on the people who originally get these pets and end up turning them over to a group such as this. If you can't get and keep a pet for the duration of its life, don't get it!
As "Dog Lover" said: "PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER"

AC statements that others were trying to take over the estates they supposedly had. How absurd, anyone who knows law knows that is not possible, but the real question is how did those horrible video's get made if all is well. I watched the videos and saw the pictures. What idiots they are trying to make people believe there was nothing wrong. Have a strong mind and stomach before you watch. The con games just continue with that group.

Wonder who they will blame when IRS and several other government agencies finish with them. They deserve the same treatment that those animals have.

My husband and I adopted a dog from all creatures great and small, and we totally agree- this place is a DISGRACE! Our dog, and english springer spaniel (Eliza) was covered in matted fur, and because of her incontinence (not unusual with fixed older females) she had been sitting in her own pee for god knows how long, and not long after we got her home she started itching constantly, and so we took her to the vet, and found out that she had mange! But now she's doing much better, and she's a dream....I feel so horrible for her, going though all that (and she was in there for 6 MONTHS). SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN!

During the flood, rescue groups offered to take all of the animals and All Creatures' response was that if they didn't have any animals, they wouldn't get any donations. This is about money and scamming little old ladies out of their savings. The animals are treated so badly because it isn't about them, it is about the money. All Creatures has received millions of dollars over the years yet the animals live in horrific conditions.

The other huge problem is Jeff Hunt, the useless district attorney who refuses to prosecute cruelty cases. Call him and ask him why he let this egregious cruelty go on for so many years. This forum won't let me give out his phone number so google "Jeff Hunt district attorney."

If I were you people I would not be to fast to jump on the PETA band wagon just yet,they have been known to botch video tapes to blackmale people just so they could recruit more money doners,And by the way did they not get cought throwing dead cats and dods that they had killed in a dumpster not to long ago,sounds like the kettle calling the pot black to me.

Ely wrote:

If I were you people I would not be to fast to jump on the PETA band wagon just yet,they have been known to botch video tapes to blackmale people just so they could recruit more money doners,And by the way did they not get cought throwing dead cats and dods that they had killed in a dumpster not to long ago,sounds like the kettle calling the pot black to me.

This isn't about whether or not anyone agrees with PETA....you can go up there tomorrow, and see exactly how horrible this place is.

I saw Kim's place in Henderson County in '98-'99. It was deporable then. When she moved into the city my thought was that she would have to clean up her act. Apparently not. I have several friends who have gotten animals from ACG&S,(after the flood to their building) and I am thankful for the few animals I know who have gotten out alive and relatively unaffected by their expereince there. She and the entire group there are so misguided. I hope someone warns SC that these people are coming. A quick check with proeprty records in Landrum and the surrounding counties could turn up the new "secret" location. I hope they are hounded until they improve conditions.

I second all the comments on spaying and neutering.

If you are going to make accusations about PETA botching videos, please present some proof. The animals they euthanized were animals no one was willing to adopt. There aren't enough homes for them all because people refuse to spay and neuter and adopt from animal shelters. Stop buying from breeders and pet shops and animals won't have to be euthanized, except for the sick ones.

hoarders are the worst. I hope that something gets done about this and the animals get another chance. People that abuse animals, kids, and the elderly need to be taken to town square and let the public take care of them. My wife is in animal welfare industry and we see a lot of this type of stuff going on.

The fact that the North Carolina Department of Agriculture has issued multiple cease and desist orders to All Creatures is testimony to how bad this place is. I don't know that they have ever done this before. It's a prison, not a shelter.

They are in trouble with The Charitable Solicitations Division of the NC Secretary of State's office, too. They have revoked All Creature's license to solicit donations. This can be verified at http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/csl/results....

All Creatures started moving animals to the Chesnee, Landrum SC area. Mary Dunn and an employee of All Creatures have already been charged with animal cruelty by Spartanburg Animal Control. Thank goodness Spartanburg AC has the decency to do their job, unlike the authorities in Henderson County.